Magnetic mounting system and method

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/060,432 filed Mar. 3, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/129,143 filed Mar. 6, 2015, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/186,150, filed Jun. 29, 2015, which applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Mounting items to walls (and other surfaces) typically includes pins or nails that are driven into the wall. Such mounting methods can be undesirable because they make permanent holes in walls and can be difficult to remove. Moreover, using pins or nails often also requires holes being made in them item being mounted. Such mounting methods are also time consuming and require great precision. For example, where a painting must be hung at a certain position and be level, a user must make careful measurements to ensure that pins or nails are driven in the correct locations(s). Otherwise, new holes must be created in the wall to correct any positioning or leveling issues.

Because the use of pins or nails damages walls and items being hung, this can create an undesirable disincentive to change or rotate art, pictures or other items that are hung on display. In other words, because the process of removing items and hanging new ones is both time consuming and damaging to walls, many users will forego changing hung items.

Alternative methods can include tape or the like, which can be used to couple items to a wall. Although such methods may not generate holes, such tape can still harm the wall and/or the item being mounted to it during dismounting of the item from the wall. Moreover such tape is not configured to be reusable. Accordingly, such methods suffer from the same deficiencies discussed above.

In view of the foregoing, a need exists for an improved magnetic mounting system and method for hanging items on walls and other surfaces in an effort to overcome the aforementioned obstacles and deficiencies of conventional hanging systems and methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1<i>a </i></figref>illustrates a front side of a mounting sticker in accordance with an embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1<i>b </i></figref>illustrates a rear side of the mounting sticker of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref><i>a. </i>

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1<i>c </i></figref>illustrates a side view of the mounting sticker of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1<i>a </i></figref>and <b>1</b><i>b. </i>

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates a plurality of mounting stickers coupled to a sticker sheet in accordance with an embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3<i>a </i></figref>is a perspective view of a user coupling a mounting sticker to a wall.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3<i>b </i></figref>is a perspective view of a user mounting a hanging item to a wall by placing a magnet on the mounting sticker with the hanging item therebetween.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates a perspective view of a user removing a mounting sticker from a wall by peeling the mounting sticker at a peeling tip.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates an example of mounting a hanging item to a wall by sticking a plurality of mounting stickers to the surface of the wall.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates a further step in the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, where a hanging item has been placed over the plurality of mounting stickers with magnets placed over each of the respective mounting stickers.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates a side view of an example embodiment of coupling a hanging item to a wall with a mounting sticker and a magnet.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a block diagram of a method of mounting a hanging item to a wall with one or more mounting sticker and one or more magnet.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a block diagram of a method of de-mounting a hanging item from a wall, which has been mounted to the wall via one or more mounting sticker and one or more magnet.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10<i>a </i></figref>illustrates an example embodiment of a mounting sticker having a shape and graphic of leaves with a plurality of magnetically receptive members disposed at the leaves.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10<i>b </i></figref>illustrates an example embodiment of a frame architecture comprising a frame body having a plurality of magnets disposed therein and defining a frame opening.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates a magnetic mounting system that comprises a circular mounting sticker that includes a flat circular magnetically receptive member and a circular sticker body.

It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are generally represented by like reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the preferred embodiments. The figures do not illustrate every aspect of the described embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1<i>a</i>-<i>c</i></figref>, a mounting sticker <b>100</b> is shown as comprising a front and rear side <b>101</b>, <b>102</b> including a planar sticker body <b>110</b> and a planar magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> that is coupled to the rear side <b>102</b> of the sticker body <b>110</b>. In other words, the front side <b>101</b> is defined by the body <b>110</b> and the rear side <b>102</b> is defined by a portion of the body <b>110</b> and a portion of the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b>.

The sticker body <b>110</b> comprises a head portion <b>125</b> and a peeling tip <b>130</b>, which can collectively define a teardrop shape as shown in this example embodiment. The head portion <b>125</b> can be generally circular with the peeling tip <b>130</b> extending from the head portion <b>120</b> and terminating at a point <b>131</b>. The point <b>131</b> can be defined by an acute angle of any suitable size including or within a range of any of 85°, 80°, 70°, 60°, 50°, 40°, 30°, 20°, 10°, or the like. As discussed in more detail herein, in various embodiments, the peeling tip <b>130</b> can be used for removing the mounting sticker <b>100</b> from a surface that the mounting sticker <b>100</b> is stuck to.

The magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can comprise a magnetically receptive planar circular disc that is coupled to the sticker body <b>110</b> on the rear side <b>102</b> on the head portion <b>125</b>. In various embodiments, the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can be completely peripherally surrounded by a portion of the sticker body <b>110</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1<i>b</i></figref>. In some embodiments, it can be desirable for a radius of the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> to correspond to, and be substantially equidistance from, a circular edge portion of the head portion <b>125</b> of the sticker body <b>110</b> as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1<i>b </i></figref>by distance D₁.

In some embodiments, a radius R₁of the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can be greater than a consistent portion distance D₁. Such a configuration can provide a desirable balance between stickiness of the mounting sticker <b>100</b> and removability of the mounting sticker <b>100</b> along with the magnetic capability of the magnetic member <b>120</b>. Accordingly, in some embodiments the radius R₁and distance D₁can be carefully chosen based on desired characteristics of the mounting sticker <b>100</b> as described herein. In further embodiments, the radius R₁of the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can be less than or equal to a consistent portion distance D₁.

The magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can comprise various suitable materials and be magnetically receptive in various suitable ways. For example, the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can comprise steel, iron, nickel, cobalt, manganese, neodymium, and the like. In other words, the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can comprise any suitable material that is attracted by a magnet. The magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can be magnetic in some embodiments, but in various preferred embodiments, the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> is non-magnetic.

The sticker body <b>110</b> can comprise various suitable materials, including paper, fabric, plastic, metal, or the like. In various preferred embodiments, the sticker body <b>110</b> comprises a durable fabric that is flexible and resists tearing when a user removes the mounting sticker <b>100</b> from a surface that the mounting sticker <b>100</b> is stuck to.

As discussed in more detail herein, the mounting sticker <b>100</b> can be coupled or stuck to various suitable surfaces via the rear side <b>102</b>. Accordingly, in various embodiments, a portion of the rear side <b>102</b> can comprise an adhesive or otherwise be configured to stick to various surfaces. In one preferred embodiment, the entire exposed sticker body <b>110</b> on the rear side <b>102</b> can comprise an adhesive with the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> being without adhesive or otherwise configured to not stick to various surfaces. In another embodiment, a portion of the exposed sticker body <b>110</b> on the rear side <b>102</b> can comprise an adhesive with the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> being without adhesive or otherwise configured to not stick to various surfaces. For example, in one embodiment an end portion of the peeling tip <b>130</b> can be without an adhesive with other portions of the sticker body <b>110</b> comprising an adhesive. In further embodiments, a portion of the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can comprise an adhesive.

Portions of the rear side <b>102</b> can be configured to adhere to, stick to or otherwise couple with various surfaces in various desirable ways. For example, an adhesive such as a glue, gum, wax, rubber, acrylic, silicone, epoxy, polyurethane, or the like can be disposed on the rear side <b>102</b>. In one preferred embodiment, an adhesive can be configured to not strip off portions of a surface that the mounting sticker <b>100</b> is coupled with when the mounting sticker <b>100</b> is removed (e.g., strip paint off a painted wall).

Additionally, in some preferred embodiments, an adhesive can be selected for reusability. For example, an adhesive can be selected for allowing the mounting sticker <b>100</b> to be stuck to and removed from surfaces many times without losing desired holding capacity. In other words, the adhesive for the mounting sticker <b>100</b> can be selected such that the mounting sticker will not effectively be permanently coupled to surfaces that the mounting sticker <b>100</b> is applied to. Moreover, the adhesive and sticker body <b>110</b> can be configured such that the mounting sticker <b>100</b> can be stuck to a wall and removed from a wall a plurality of times, without degrading the integrity of the sticker body <b>110</b> and the adhesive properties of the mounting sticker <b>100</b>. In other words, the sticker body <b>110</b> will not tear or break and the adhesive will not separate from the sticker body <b>110</b> or the mounting sticker <b>110</b> will not lose the ability to be reused after being removed from a surface.

Additionally, adhesive can be selected based on its stability of adhesive characteristics. For example, some adhesives can become more sticky or permanent over time, and accordingly, adhesives can be selected such that a mounting sticker <b>100</b> remains removable and reusable regardless of whether the mounting sticker <b>100</b> is removed from a surface within a number of minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, or the like.

Although various example embodiments discussed herein relate to mounting stickers <b>100</b> comprising an adhesive, further embodiments can be configured to stick to various surfaces without an adhesive. For example, a mounting sticker can comprise a surface configured for static cling coupling, Velcro coupling, gecko coupling technology (e.g., a Gecko Setal Array), or the like. Additionally, certain portions of the mounting sticker <b>100</b> can be configured without an adhesive or sticking capability, which can include the rear side <b>102</b> face of the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> and/or the front side <b>101</b>.

Various portions of the mounting sticker <b>100</b> can comprise any suitable graphic, logo, lettering, design, or the like. For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1<i>a </i></figref>and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrate graphics that include text that reads “Good Hangups” on a black background, but this should not be construed to be limiting on the wide variety of possible configurations that are possible and within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, such graphics, logos, lettering, designs, or the like can be absent.

In some embodiments, mounting stickers <b>100</b> can be provided as a kit that comprises a plurality of mounting stickers <b>100</b> coupled to a sticker sheet <b>200</b>. Such a kit can further include magnets as described in more detail herein. Providing a plurality of mounting stickers <b>100</b> coupled to a sticker sheet <b>200</b> can be desirable because unused mounting stickers <b>100</b> can remain on the sticker sheet <b>200</b> or be returned to the sticker sheet <b>200</b> when peeled from a surface after use.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3<i>a </i>and 3<i>b </i></figref>illustrate an example method of using a mounting sticker to couple a hanging item <b>310</b> to a wall <b>300</b>. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3<i>a</i></figref>, a user <b>301</b> can press a mounting sticker <b>100</b> against a wall <b>300</b> such that it sticks to or otherwise adheres to the wall. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3<i>b </i></figref>the user <b>301</b> can position a hanging item <b>310</b> over the mounting sticker <b>100</b> and further couple a magnet <b>320</b> to the mounting sticker <b>100</b> over the hanging item <b>310</b> such that the hanging item <b>310</b> is held on the wall between the magnet <b>320</b> and mounting sticker <b>100</b> due to magnetic attraction between the magnet <b>120</b> and the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> of the mounting sticker <b>100</b>.

As discussed herein, the mounting sticker <b>100</b> can be removable and reusable. For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates a mounting sticker <b>100</b> being removed from a wall <b>300</b> by a user <b>301</b> lifting the point <b>131</b> of the peeling tip <b>130</b> from the wall with a fingernail <b>405</b> and using the peeling tip <b>130</b> to lift the head portion <b>125</b> of the mounting sticker <b>100</b> from the wall <b>300</b>. Accordingly, in some embodiments, having a peeling tip <b>130</b> with an acute point <b>131</b> can be desirable because it can provide position where a user <b>301</b> can begin peeling the mounting sticker <b>100</b> from the wall.

The mounting sticker <b>100</b> can be configured for ease in peeling off a surface. For example, the example embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1<i>a</i>-<i>c </i></figref>can be desirable where adhesive is present on substantially all portions of the sticker body <b>110</b> defining the rear side and where the sticker body <b>110</b> comprises a flexible material such as a fabric and where the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> comprises a rigid material such as metal and is non-adhesive. In such an example, a user can peel the mounting sticker beginning with the point <b>131</b> of the peeling tip <b>130</b> until reaching the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b>. At this point, the rigid magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can be used to lift the head portion <b>125</b> off the surface, with the non-adhesive face of the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> preventing undue suction or adhesion to the surface. Accordingly such a configuration can provide for ease in peeling off a surface within a relatively constant range of peeling force due to a substantially consistent range of surface area being peeled at a given time during the peeling-of process.

Additionally, having a magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> of a circular shape can be desirable because it can provide for easier peeling from a surface due to lack of linear edges and the curved peeling profile generated by the circular magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> during peeling process discussed herein. Similarly, a circular portion of the head portion <b>125</b> can also provide for similar beneficial peeling capabilities. Further peeling benefits can result from the correspondence of the circular shape of the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b>, circular shape of a circular portion of the head portion <b>125</b> and a consistent distance therebetween as discussed herein.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5 and 6</figref> illustrate an example embodiment wherein a plurality of mounting stickers <b>100</b> and magnets <b>320</b> are used to couple a hanging item <b>310</b> to a wall <b>300</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, four mounting stickers <b>100</b> can be stuck to a wall <b>300</b> in a generally rectangular configuration. Turning to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, a handing item <b>310</b> can be positioned over and covering the mounting stickers <b>100</b> and respective magnets <b>320</b> can be used to respectively couple the portions of the hanging item <b>310</b> between the magnet <b>320</b> and the mounting stickers <b>100</b>. In other words, the hanging item <b>310</b> can be mounted on the wall <b>300</b> via attraction of the respective magnets <b>320</b> and the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> of the respective mounting stickers <b>100</b>.

Such a method of coupling a hanging item <b>310</b> to a wall <b>300</b> can be desirable for various reasons. For example, such a hanging system can be configured for removability such that the hanging item <b>310</b>, magnets <b>320</b> and mounting stickers <b>100</b> leave no trace or marks on the wall when removed. In another example, the hanging item <b>310</b> may be easily leveled by moving the hanging item <b>310</b> within the coupling between the magnets <b>320</b> and mounting stickers <b>100</b>, which can provide a movable coupling.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates a side exploded view of one embodiment of how a hanging item <b>310</b> can be mounted to a wall <b>300</b> via a mounting sticker <b>100</b> and a magnet <b>320</b>. As shown in this example, the mounting sticker <b>100</b> can be stuck to the wall <b>300</b> via the rear side <b>102</b> with the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> facing the wall <b>300</b> and adhesive of the rear side <b>102</b> coupling the mounting sticker <b>100</b> to the wall <b>300</b>. The hanging item <b>310</b> can be positioned over and abutting the front face <b>101</b> of the mounting sticker <b>100</b>. The magnet <b>320</b> can be positioned over the magnetically receptive member <b>120</b>, and the magnetic attraction between the magnet <b>320</b> and magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can pinch the hanging item <b>310</b> between the mounting sticker <b>100</b> and the magnet <b>320</b>.

Although some example embodiments illustrated herein include thin planar hanging items <b>310</b> such as posters, cards, or the like, it should be clear that various suitable hanging items <b>310</b> can be mounted to a wall <b>300</b>. Additionally, although some example embodiments illustrated herein depict mounting hanging items <b>310</b> on a wall <b>300</b>, it should be clear that the systems and methods described and shown herein can be used on any suitable surface, including brick, concrete, textured walls, painted walls, glass, fabric, the interior of a vehicle, furniture, a computer monitor, a stainless steel refrigerator, and the like.

Furthermore, in addition to mounting to vertical surfaces such as a wall <b>300</b>, it should be clear that the systems and methods described and shown herein can be used on surfaces of any suitable angle, orientation, or the like, including a celling, table top, counter top, vehicle dashboard, floor, or the like. Also, while flat surfaces are illustrated in various embodiments, mounting stickers <b>100</b> can be configured to be coupled on non-flat surfaces. For example, the mounting sticker <b>100</b> can be flexible such that the mounting sticker <b>100</b> can be coupled to rounded surfaces or objects.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a block diagram of a method <b>800</b> for coupling a hanging item <b>310</b> to a wall <b>300</b> using one or more mounting stickers <b>100</b> and one or more magnets <b>320</b>. The method <b>800</b> begins, at <b>810</b>, where a surface of a vertical wall <b>300</b> is cleaned and a mounting sticker <b>100</b> is removed from a sticker sheet <b>200</b>, at <b>820</b>. At <b>830</b>, the mounting sticker <b>100</b> is applied to the surface of the wall <b>300</b>, and at <b>840</b>, a determination is made whether further mounting stickers are desired. If so, the method <b>800</b> cycles back to <b>820</b> where a further mounting sticker <b>100</b> is removed from the sticker sheet <b>200</b>. However, if at <b>840</b>, a determination is made that a further mounting sticker <b>100</b> is not desired, the method <b>800</b> continues to <b>850</b>, where a hanging item is placed on the wall <b>300</b> over the one or more mounting stickers <b>100</b> that have been stuck to the wall <b>300</b>. At <b>860</b>, a magnet <b>320</b> is coupled over each mounting sticker <b>100</b> to mount the hanging item <b>310</b> to the wall <b>300</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> illustrates a method <b>900</b> of dismounting a hanging item <b>310</b> from a wall <b>300</b> where the hanging item <b>310</b> has been coupled to the wall <b>300</b> via one or more mounting stickers <b>100</b> and one or more magnets <b>320</b>. The method begins, at <b>910</b>, where one or more magnets <b>320</b> coupled over one or more mounting sticker <b>100</b> are removed, and at <b>920</b>, the hanging item <b>310</b> is removed from the wall <b>300</b>. At <b>930</b>, each mounting sticker <b>100</b> is peeled from the wall <b>300</b> via the peeling tip <b>130</b>, and at <b>940</b>, the one or more mounting stickers are replaced on the sticker sheet <b>200</b>.

Although various examples illustrate a mounting sticker <b>100</b> having a teardrop shape and a single flat circular magnetically receptive member <b>120</b>, in further embodiments, a mounting sticker <b>100</b> can be configured in various suitable alternative ways. For example, in further embodiments, the sticker body <b>110</b> and/or magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can be any suitable shape, including a circle, square, triangle, oval, pear-shape, star, or other regular or irregular shape.

For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates a magnetic mounting system that comprises a circular mounting sticker <b>100</b> that includes a flat circular magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> and a circular adhesive body or sticker body <b>110</b>. More specifically, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> shows an example of how a poster <b>310</b> could be displayed with the magnetic hanging system. The removable and circular sticker body <b>110</b> adheres to the magnet or magnetic receptive material <b>120</b> to form the circular mounting sticker <b>100</b> that adheres to the wall <b>300</b>. In this example, four mounting stickers <b>100</b> are placed on the wall where the comers of the poster will be. Then the poster <b>310</b> is placed over the mounting sticker <b>100</b> and then a magnet <b>320</b> is placed on top to hold the poster <b>310</b> in place.

Additionally, the sticker body <b>110</b> and/or magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can be any suitable size and although some example embodiments herein are illustrated having a specific size relative to a human hand, other embodiments can be smaller or larger as desired.

Additionally, although various embodiments illustrate a magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> coupled on the rear side <b>102</b> of the sticker body <b>110</b>, in further embodiments, a magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can be coupled to or otherwise associated with a sticker body <b>110</b> in various suitable ways. For example, in one embodiment, a sticker body <b>110</b> can comprise an orifice, slot, or the like, in which a magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can reside. In a further embodiment, a magnetically receptive member <b>120</b> can be sandwiched between a first and second layer of sticker bodies <b>110</b>.

In further embodiments, a mounting sticker <b>100</b> can comprise a plurality of magnetically receptive members <b>120</b>. For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10<i>a </i></figref>illustrates one example embodiment where the sticker body <b>110</b> includes a graphic of leaves and stems and is generally in the shape of leaves and stems. As illustrated in the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10<i>a </i></figref>a plurality of magnetically receptive members <b>120</b> are positioned at the leaves.

A still further example embodiment includes a calendar made of whiteboard material (or other suitable material) having magnetically receptive members <b>120</b> in boxes corresponding to days of the week. Another embodiment includes a map having magnetically receptive members <b>120</b> in states or countries defined by the map. One embodiment can include artistic works having magnetically receptive members <b>120</b>. A further embodiment can include a wall puzzle having magnetically receptive members <b>120</b> and magnets <b>320</b> in puzzle pieces. A still further embodiment includes a children's growth chart including magnetically receptive members <b>120</b> at positions to hang pictures of a child as he or she grows.

Additionally, although various example embodiments herein illustrate a cylindrical magnet <b>320</b>, further embodiments can include magnets <b>320</b> of any suitable size and shape. In still further embodiments, magnets <b>320</b> can be associated with various functional and/or decorative elements. For example, some embodiments include a button body having a magnet <b>320</b> disposed therein. In further embodiments, a magnet <b>320</b> can be coupled to various suitable sculptural elements (e.g., a butterfly, or the like). In still further embodiments, functional elements can be associated with a magnet <b>320</b> including a hook, loop, clip, box, Velcro, clock, key ring, vase, adhesive, framing element, or the like.

Additionally, in further embodiments, a plurality of magnets <b>320</b> can be present in single body. For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10<i>b </i></figref>illustrates a frame architecture <b>1000</b> comprising a frame body <b>1050</b> having a plurality of magnets <b>320</b> disposed therein and defining a frame opening <b>1060</b>. Such an embodiment can be used to mount a picture or poster to a wall <b>300</b> while also framing the picture or poster.

The described embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, and specific examples thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the described embodiments are not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives.